The Catholic Apostles Creed

What Catholics believe...

The Meaning Of The Apostles' Creed

The Apostle's Creed is a list of what Catholics believe. The word creed itself means "I believe". The Apostles' Creed is the first of the Catholic Rosary prayers because it lists the important truths taught by Jesus.

It summarizes who God is and how he deals with us, His children.

This prayer deals with the Blessed Trinity. The belief in three persons in one God,

• the Father
• the Son and
• the Holy Spirit

The Creed goes on to talk about God the Son, Who plays the role in your redemption. It lists important truths about Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity. You state that He...

• was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
• born of the Virgin Mary
• suffered under Pontius Pilate
• was crucified, died and was buried
• descended into hell - [not hell where Satan is but to a place where the holy people who died before Jesus was born were awaiting His coming. They were not allowed to enter into heaven because of Adam and Eve's, our first parent's sin. Jesus opened the gates of heaven for them and you when He suffered and died on the cross. This part of the Creed deals with His going there and bringing them to heaven.]
• Jesus rose again and then
• ascended into heaven

The final part of the Creed talks about the Holy Spirit and His role in your sanctification.

As you pray you state that you believe in...

• the holy catholic (universal) church,
• the communion of saints - [that people in heaven pray for people on earth and that people on earth pray for people suffering in purgatory, a place of purification before entering heaven]
• the forgiveness of sins
• the resurrection of the body - [when Jesus comes again your body will be resurrected and glorified]
• and life everlasting - [your soul will never die. It will live forever.]

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The Origin Of The Apostles Creed

The Apostles Creed dates back to the time of the early church. During this time, just after Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles were spreading the faith and preaching to all nations. It is called the Apostles Creed because it was handed down by the apostles.

Records show that people who wanted to join the early church had to recite this prayer before they were baptized.

The Apostles Creed does not contain all the truths of what Catholics believe, just the important ones. Therefore the Creed was changed over time so that all the important points could be stated as simply and as clearly as possible without losing their meaning.

As you can see the Apostles Creed is a fitting way to begin the Catholic Rosary prayers because it calls to mind the things you believe about God.

Much peace can be found in a comfortable knowledge of your faith.

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Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary

Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...

Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus. They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on the cross. Therefore read more...

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...

Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead, making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...